ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) is the future of telehealth outside of a VA facility. It provides a private space for Veterans to meet with their VA providers through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app. Each ATLAS site is equipped with high-speed internet access, a site attendant, and the technology needed for video visits.
For Veterans living in and around Los Banos, California, the ATLAS site that opened in VFW Post 2487 in March 2021 has eliminated many barriers to care. It’s nearly an hour drive from the post to the nearest VA community-based outpatient clinic, and the Fresno VA Medical Center is about 90 minutes away.
“It’s important to get these services to Veterans because many are older and have issues traveling to VA for care,” VFW Post 2487 Commander Michael Hughes said. “I’m a disabled Veteran myself, and I’ve seen a lot of Veterans ignore the care they need because it is too much trouble to go to a facility.”
